Dropout rates decrease from previous school year

All of Davidson County's three school systems were among the 70 percent of school districts in the state that decreased their dropout rate.

BY DENEESHA EDWARDSThe Dispatch

All of Davidson County's three school systems were among the 70 percent of school districts in the state that decreased their dropout rate. Information released Thursday by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction reported a dropout percentage of 3.01 last school year compared to 3.43 percent the previous year. That's a total of 13,488 high school students who dropped out in the 2011-12 school year. In the 2010-11 year, 15,342 students were considered dropouts.A dropout is defined as a student who leaves school for any reason before graduation or completion of a program of studies without transferring to another school."High school students understand the connection between a diploma and the ability to reach their goals," State Superintendent June Atkinson said in a press release. "Principals, teachers and support staff should be praised for their efforts to ensure that students are staying on track to complete their education and achieve success after graduation." Thomasville City Schools' rate decreased from 5.69 in the 2009-10 school year to 5.28 percent in the 2010-11 year. That's a 4.8 percent decrease. The system reported 40 dropouts last school year compared to 42 the previous year. Thomasville was labeled by the state as having one of the highest dropout rates along with nine other school systems. During the past five years, the system's number of dropouts has decreased and increased by small percentages each year. In the 2007-08 school year, 52 students dropped out; the 2008-09 year, 37 students dropped out; and the 2009-10 year, 38 students dropped out. The number then rose to 42 in the 2010-11 year and dropped to 40 last school year.@:School officials with Thomasville City Schools could not be reached for comment.Davidson County Schools' rate decreased by 16.2 percent. The system reported 191 dropouts for a systemwide dropout rate of 2.99 percent, compared to 228 dropouts and a percentage of 3.57 in the 2010-11 school year.Dr. Denise Hedrick, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the county schools, said the system is excited about its rate being below the state mark. She attributes the drop to teachers and administrators building relationships with students as well as the system using E2020 — an online education program that allows students to recover credits."We're focusing on keeping kids in school, graduating them and making sure they are college-ready," Hedrick said. "Teachers and administrators are creating innovative ways to help students make up days to help them stay in school and be successful."Lexington City Schools decreased its rate to 3.90 percent last year from 6.53 percent the previous year. The system had 32 dropouts in the 2011-12 school year compared to 57 the previous year, a 43.9 percent decrease.Lexington was also recognized by the state as one of the seven schools that was placed in two of the three "top 10" lists of superior performance in achieving low rates. The state also recognized the system for its low short-term suspensions and for having the largest three-year percentage decrease in the number of suspensions.Rick Kriesky, superintendent of Lexington City Schools, said two years ago the system had a spike that caused some concern where administrators reviewed procedures and issues that caused students to leave before graduation. The system put in place initiatives — the differentiated diploma and graduation mentor — at the high school to help students."Both initiatives were supported wholeheartedly by our school board," Kriesky said. "This data and report indicates the culture in our schools, especially Lexington Senior High School, is evolving, and the fact that Lexington City Schools was in the top 10 … speaks volumes of the hard work of Mr. (Travis) Taylor (LSHS principal) and the entire staff at LSHS."Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.

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